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Ways of the Ancestors

The name of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail newsletter honors the ancestors whose paths are still followed when trails are used today. The newsletter presents highlights about the trail and its people, you. For the most current issue, click here.

A number of hikers turned out for National Trails Day® events along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on the weekend of June 2 & 3, 2012. From Kawaihae to Hawaii Volcanoes, seven groups reaped free benefits from their hikes. They got to breathe fresh air, get hearts pumping, maintain health and escape from the daily stress.

Kaleo Paik, Ala Kahakai Trail Association board member, worked with Sheila Franklin of American Hiking Society and was able to request and secure a proclamation from the governor of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie. The proclamation declared June 2, 2012 as "Hawai`i Trails Day". Within the document, the governor urged the people of the Aloha State to "join us in taking advantage of our State's trails year-round and to recognize our trails as an important resource that helps enhance the quality of life for all participants." To view Hawaii Trails Day proclamation, click here Hawai`i Trails Day Proclamation 2012.

In your backyard in Hawaii is the 175 mile Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a portion of the 200,000 miles of trail access to the natural world in America. Discover, learn about and celebrate trails not just on Hawai'i Trails Day, but everyday. Be safe and remember to reap the free benefits the trail offers.

Musicians at 2011 Music and Talk Story, Kailapa

Nancy Erger

Sense of Place: Music and Talk Story

A special day of Sense of Place: Music and Talk Story occurred at Kailapa Hawaiian Homestead in Kawaihae on Hawaii island on August 28, 2011. The music and stories of Kawaihae were presented by its people revitalizing community pride in the place where they live. The venue, in close proximity to Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, offered a renewing of connections. "With this project, we will bring people together at gatherings that celebrate the past, present and future of each community and allow us to appreciate and continue to nurture our unique culture." said Aric Arakaki, Trail Superintendent.

Elders and youth shared familiar and forgotten stories and names of places, some which are now no longer in existence. Musicians harmonized, playing songs that honored the area. Hula dancers gracefully revealed stories with their hands. All of the participants shared what was and is unique about their place.

Kailapa Community Association, Hui Kuapa (The Friends of the Future), and Ala Kahakai Trail Association partnered to draw the community together for this event. Hui Kuapa brought fourteen years of experience doing similar gatherings across the island. Two other Music and Talk Story along the trail corridor are scheduled in Kona on October 9th and in Honaunau on November 6th.

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is one of nineteen national park units across the country awarded the 2011 America's Best Idea grant by the National Park Foundation. This project was made possible in part through the generous support of Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, the Anschutz Foundation and the Ahmanson Foundation.

National Park Foundation America's Best Idea grant

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is one of nineteen national parks that received a National Park Foundation grant to support interactive and engaging projects that will strengthen Americans' connection with their national parks. The project "Sense of Place: Music and Talk Story" will share stories and songs of places at three locations along the trail.

Signers for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail's Memorandum of Understanding.

NPS Photo

SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Representatives of the National Park Service, State of Hawai'i, and County of Hawai'i joined together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on Sunday, February 21, 2010. The MOU focused on establishing the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail and setting forth the roles and responsibilities of each partner agency to protect and preserve the 175-mile trail corridor.

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Superintendent Aric Arakaki, Pacific West Region Deputy Regional Director Patty Neubacher, State of Hawai`i Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr., State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson Laura Thielen and Hawai`i County Deputy Managing Director Wally Lau gathered together at the table to sign the document in front of a crowd of about 120 community members, park partners, and park staff.

The primary focus of the agreement will be the implementation of the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which was designated by the U.S. Congress in 2000. The CMP, released in May 2009, establishes management guidelines needed to fulfill the preservation and public use goals that were the result of community input gathered at island-wide meetings.